Santo Domingo, RD.
The deputy for the National District, Omar Fernández, submitted a project that would sanction animal cruelty and ill-treatment with up to three years in prison and up to fifty minimum wages.
“It is not possible for a society that regenerates and talks about a new policy to mistreat animals for sport,” said People’s Force legislator Omar Fernandez in introducing the amendment to Law 248-12 on protection and responsible animal ownership.
In addition, the proposal establishes the penalty of up to 15 minimum wages and imprisonment between 6 and 12 months for pet owners that they do not fulfill the duties established in the own law with respect to the responsible possession of the same.
“We are proposing the creation of a department within the Police for faster and more effective action for those who attack animals,” the People’s Force congressman expressed.
Failure to comply with the rule will be borne by a Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Animal Protection, created no later than six months after the enactment of this law by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), which responsibilities which to date fall on the animal protection unit.
Likewise, the department of the National Police for the protection of animals may proceed to submit to the action of justice, without the need for a complaint or complaint by third parties.
To implement these reforms, the project establishes the need for the creation of a Department of Animal Protection, by the Vice-Ministry of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health (Mispas), within a period not exceeding six months from the enactment of the law.
Among its responsibilities, this department will be responsible for the vaccination and sterilization of domestic and street animals, establishing at least one service point in each province of the country, while the mayors and municipal district boards will assume the same in the municipalities in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health.
2% of the annual budget of the municipal governments would be allocated to the creation, care and adequate support of the hostels indicated above.
The proceeds of the fines will be divided into five equal parts (20%) between the Department of Animal Protection of MISPAS, the mayor or municipal district board of the demarcation where the fine occurred, the Department of Animal Protection of the National Police, animal protection organizations and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Animal Protection of the PGR.